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<br /> . . I . .' <br /> Coordinator Jones-Thomas discussed the larger issue: whether the Council would like <br /> to redevelop the entire block, or whether the two properties on the end.... should be <br /> rehabilitated. Large pictures of the properties were displayed, and Coordinator Jones <br /> Thomas said both "properties were severely blighted. The Haven Property was totally <br /> vacant and has been since late Spring of this year, and it is becoming an increasing <br /> - problem for police, fire and the health department. The Rolison Property has six of the <br /> eight units occupied, and if we do acquire the property and choose to redevelop, the <br /> tenants in those units may be entitled to relocation assistance." <br /> Coordinator Jones-Thomas described state and federal levels of control regarding <br /> affordable housing. The state provides a projection of needed units in the City and the <br /> federal government gives the City money and asks how much can be accomplished. <br /> Coordinator Jones-Thomas displayed charts and said in the I980s the City had told the <br /> state its projections were unrealistic and only 50% of the goal might be met. The <br /> Housing Element adopted by the Council and at various times submitted to the State <br /> indicated that the City would only achieve about 12% of the low and very low income <br /> units. She described current affordable units in Redwood City, 376 units in which the <br /> City has been involved. The Rolison/Haven project wi!! put the City close to its goal - <br /> 166 out of the 172, the number of units previously projected and presented to the State as <br /> a more realistic goal. The City's Consolidated Plan projects producing 150 more units <br /> through the year 2000. <br /> Coordinator Jones-Thomas described the options of redevelopment and rehabilitation, <br /> the unknown conditions of the building and relocation costs, explaining why exact costs <br /> of both options carmot be pinned down. "The Council has indicated it wants to revitalize <br /> - the area and less density will be the vehicle that effects change, in which case the two <br /> parcels could be added to the new development. On the other hand, if the Council <br /> chooses to rehabilitate it would be with the understanding that we would put some <br /> additional funds in at this time for rehabilitation, and five to ten years down the road we <br /> would need to repeat that.... Additional costs for rehabilitation, the overcrowded units <br /> may cause relocation costs, however with rehabilitation that could be carried out with <br /> minimal relocation costs. We would rehabilitate one building first and then move the <br /> tenants into that and then rehabilitate the other. Redevelopment which is a longer term <br /> solution, and a more drastic improvement to the area aesthetically, there are some other <br /> unknowns, having to do with the cost of the actual relocation as well as one-for-one <br /> replacement." <br /> In response to Councilman Ruskin's questions, Coordinator Jones-Thomas explained <br /> that the State and Federal Governments "require that if you use public funds to remove <br /> affordable housing trom the housing stock, you have an obligation to replace those units. <br /> The Redevelopment Agency has demolished approximately 50 units and 21 of those <br /> units were occupied and they need to be replaced." Only occupied units need to be <br /> replaced, not those that were substandard or uninhabitable. Coordinator Jones-Thomas <br /> said that state law requires relocation costs to continue for 48 months, under federal law <br /> it is 42 months, and that only refers to the difference between what the tenants were <br /> paying and what they would be paying intheii comparable replacement units, or 30% of <br /> L.. <br /> REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTE BOOK NO. 54 SEPTEMBER 16, 1996 <br /> MINUTES Page No. 486 PAGE 21 <br />